Canada 2020 Studio Series: Canada’s Independent Senators

The Prime Minister’s decision in 2016 to appoint only non-partisan senators has resulted in an Upper House that now has a majority of senators who are not affiliated with a political party. Most of these non-partisan senators have joined the Independent Senators Group (ISG), which is led by Senators Woo and Saint-Germain.

On March 6th 2019, Canada 2020 is convening a discussion with facilitators of the ISG for their take on Senate independence, what it means for our parliamentary democracy, and how the chamber of “sober second thought” is working to rebuild trust with Canadians.

With an Upper House composed mainly of independent senators for the first time in history, the Independent Senators Group (ISG)is now the largest group in the Senate.

The presence and growth of the ISG has created a new dynamic in the Senate, leading to a number of changes in the rules and practices of the Upper House, as well as in its relationship with the Government, the House of Commons, and how legislation is studied, debated, and voted on.